How to Plant, Grow & Care for Banana Trees in Pots

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Grow a banana tree in a container from a sapling, corm, or seed
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Whether you love the look of banana trees or want your own harvest of bananas, you'll be happy to learn that you can easily grow banana trees in pots. While people in subtropical climates typically grow these trees in the ground, banana trees can actually thrive in a container indoors or outside. In this article, we’ll explain how to grow a banana tree in a container from a young plant, corm, sucker, or seed and tell you how to care for your tree. Read on to learn more!

Can you grow a banana tree in a pot?

Yes—simply start your tree, corm, sucker, or seed in a 6-8 in (15-20 cm) pot with drainage holes. Plant the tree in well-draining soil and water it regularly to keep the soil moist. Place the pot in a spot indoors or outside that gets direct light for most of the day and stays above 50° F (10° C).

Section 1 of 5:

Getting the Right Materials

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  1. A standard banana tree can grow over 20 feet (6 m) in height, so it can become too large for a regular pot. When purchasing a banana tree, opt for a dwarf variety, instead. These trees only grow to around 5-13 feet (1.5 to 4 m), can be grown indoors, and aren’t likely to outgrow the pot that you put them in. [1] Look online for different varieties of dwarf banana tree corms for sale.
    • Types of dwarf banana trees include the Dwarf Red, Dwarf Brazilian, Dwarf Cavendish, Williams Hybrid, and Dwarf Lady Finger.
  2. Purchase a banana tree , corm, or seed online or at the store. The corm is the base of the banana tree and contains the tree's roots. [2] If you don't want to plant the corm and wait for the tree to grow, you can buy a young banana tree or a banana tree sucker (commonly called a pup). This will bypass having to grow new suckers from the corm, and may make it easier to plant your tree. Or, choose to grow a banana tree from a seed. [3]
    • If a friend or neighbor has a banana tree, ask them if you can take a pup from the mother tree.
    • You may also be able to buy young banana trees or banana corms at a local nursery.
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  3. Banana trees thrive in well-draining soil . When looking for the right type of soil, consider ones with a good mix of peat, perlite, and vermiculite. A cactus or palm tree soil mixture is an excellent choice for banana trees. You can purchase bags of this soil at most home and gardening stores. [4]
    • Some soil is not beneficial for banana tree growth, such as standard heavy potting soil or soil that's found in your yard.
    • Your banana tree will do best in soil with a pH of 5.6 to 6.5.
  4. Start your nursery plant, corm, pup, or seed off in a 6 inch (15 cm) pot or 8 inch (20 cm) pot that has drainage holes. Just make sure the pot is deep so that the banana tree roots have room to expand. Never plant your banana tree in a pot that doesn't have good drainage, as these plants don’t like to sit in water. [5]
    • Choose a sturdy pot material so it can accommodate the size and weight of your banana tree. For instance, select a ceramic, heavy plastic, metal, or wood pot.
    • When your tree outgrows its pot, transport it to a larger pot. Increase the size of your pot by 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) every 2 to 3 years. [6]
    • Grow mature banana plants in 15 to 20-gallon (57-76 L) containers , or 18 to 25 in (46-61 cm) pots. For instance, plant it in a large barrel or grow bag. [7]
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Section 2 of 5:

Planting a Banana Tree or Corm

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  1. If you’re growing your banana tree from a corm, it's important that you rinse it off before planting it to remove any pests that might be on it. Rinsing the corm will also help remove any bacterial or fungal growth. [8]
  2. Fill a deep pot with well-draining potting mix . Then, use a spade to dig a small hole in the center of your pot about 3 inches (8 cm) deep. You may have to dig a deeper hole to accommodate the size of your corm, pup, or nursery plant. [9]
    • Make sure to leave about 3 inches (8 cm) of space around the pot so you can plant the banana tree deep into your pot and its roots have enough space to grow.
    • To test if your pot has enough space, place the corm in the hole and make sure that the top 20% of it sticks out of the hole. This portion of your tree should remain exposed until new leaves start sprouting.
  3. Take your corm, pup, or nursery plant and place it in the hole that you just dug, roots side down. Then, fill in any gaps in the pot with soil to ensure the roots are covered. Just make sure the stem and any leaves are not buried. If you’re planting a corm, the top 20% of the corm should be exposed until the banana tree starts to grow leaves. [10]
    • When shoots or suckers start to grow from your corm, you can cover the rest of the corm with compost.
  4. Water your plant thoroughly with a hose when you first plant it, making sure to saturate all of the soil. Just bring your tree outside or place it in your sink to allow the water to drain through the drainage holes. After this initial watering, use a watering can to keep the soil moist, but not overly wet. [11]
    • Do not put your pot on a saucer because the pool of water can lead to bacteria and rot.
  5. Find a spot for your banana plant that gets bright, direct sunlight for most of the day. If it’s at least 50° F (10° C) outside, feel free to leave your plant outdoors to grow. Just bring it inside if the temperatures drop below 50° F (10° C), as banana trees can’t withstand cold temperatures. [12]
    • If you don’t have a sunny spot indoors, place a grow light over your plant.
    • If you’re leaving your banana tree outside, place it in a spot where it’s sheltered from the wind so it won’t blow over.
    • Banana trees grow best in temperatures between 78 to 82°F (26-28° C). They grow fairly slowly in temperatures between 50 to 60° F (10-15° C) [13]
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Section 3 of 5:

Growing Banana Trees from Seed

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  1. Purchase banana seeds online or at your local plant nursery. Then, use a coarse piece of sandpaper or a metal file to lightly scratch the sides of the seed. Place it in a glass of warm water and let it soak for 24 hours. [14]
    • Scratching and soaking the seed helps “wake it up” and tell it that it’s time to germinate.
    • Note : You cannot grow banana trees from a banana fruit. Most commercial bananas are seedless. If they do have seeds, they’re infertile. [15]
  2. Fill a 6 inch (15 cm) pot that has drainage holes with regular potting soil or seed compost . Then, push the seed about ½ inch (1 cm) deep into the soil. [16]
  3. Water the soil thoroughly so it’s moist but not waterlogged. Then, place the pot in a spot that gets bright, indirect light. Ensure the spot stays warm at around 70 to 75Ëš F (21-24Ëš C). [17]
    • Place a heat mat under the pot to keep the seed at a consistently warm temperature.
  4. Check the soil every few days by sticking your finger about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep into the pot. If it feels dry, water your plant. [18] Just continue to keep the soil moist until the seed sprouts, which can take between 3 to 12 weeks. [19]
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Section 4 of 5:

Caring for Your Banana Tree

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  1. Make sure that your banana tree’s soil remains moist each day, as banana trees need a lot of water to grow. Simply test this by pushing your finger about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep into the soil to see how dry it is. If the soil feels dry, give your plant a drink of water so the roots stay hydrated. During the warmer months, you may need to water your plant every day. [20]
    • In the winter, cut back your watering. Only water your banana plant’s soil when it completely dries out. [21]
    • Be careful of overwatering your tree. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not waterlogged and soggy.
  2. Banana trees thrive in full sun, though they can still grow well in partial shade. If you live in a cooler climate, put your banana tree outside during the summer months when it's warm. Rotate the container regularly to make sure that all sides of the plant are receiving sunlight. If your tree is indoors, put it next to a large window so it gets adequate sunlight. [22]
    • Make sure to position the tree next to a structure or surrounding foliage that can block out the wind.
    • The ideal temperature for banana growth is 78 to 82°F (26-28° C).
    • If the temperature is below 50° F (10° C), most banana trees will stop growing.
  3. Cold and heavy winds aren't healthy for your banana plant and can disrupt its growth and fruit development. If the seasons are changing, bring your tree inside before it starts to get cold out. If you know that your yard gets cold winds, bring your banana plant inside or insulate it with rows of trees. [23]
    • Banana trees stop growing at 50° F (10° C). If they’re exposed to freezing temperatures (32° F or 0° C), they may die.
  4. Use a general-purpose, liquid fertilizer that's high in magnesium, potassium, and nitrogen to promote the growth of your tree. Combine the fertilizer with water according to the directions and water your plant with it . Or, sprinkle the top of the soil with a general-purpose granular fertilizer once in the spring and summer. [24]
    • If you can't find a soluble fertilizer that is made specifically for tropical plants, get a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer . [25]
    • Regularly fertilizing the plant provides the roots with the proper nutrients and minerals, promoting your tree's growth.
    • Popular fertilizer companies include Agrium, Haifa, PotashCorp, and Yara International.
  5. After 6 to 8 weeks of sustained, healthy growth, prune your banana tree . When banana trees grow, suckers (pups) start to pop out of the soil around your plant. Your goal is to eliminate all but one of the suckers from your banana tree. Choose the healthiest and largest sucker from your plant and use a spade or gardening shears to carefully cut off the rest of the suckers from the corm. You may have to dig into the soil to completely remove the suckers. Then, use clean shears to cut off any dead or dying leaves. [26]
    • Suckers look like shoots that grow out of the corm and have leaves. [27]
    • To propagate your banana tree, plant the suckers you removed into a pot. A new banana tree will grow from the sucker. [28]
    • When your tree grows fruit, prune it back. After harvesting the fruit, cut down the tree so it's 2.5 feet (0.76 meters) from the ground, without damaging the main sucker. The tree will grow more fruit after you prune it.
  6. Transplant your tree to a larger container before it becomes root-bound. You can tell when your tree is ready for a larger container when it stops growing vertically or you see its roots growing out of the bottom of the pot. Simply choose a pot that’s 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm) larger than the original and that has drainage holes. [29]
    • To repot your banana tree , lay the tree on its side and slide it out of the container. Put soil in your new pot and place the tree in the bigger pot. Then, fill the rest of the pot with soil. Be careful not to damage the roots when transplanting your tree.
    • If your tree is not coming out of its pot, tap on the sides of the container.
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Section 5 of 5:

When do banana trees start to bear fruit?

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  1. Most banana trees start to fruit after 10 to 15 months. Banana trees typically flower after 10 to 15 months of growth from a corm, sucker, or nursery plant. After the flower fully forms, the petals start to roll back, which exposes the banana fruits. [30] Harvest the bananas when the fruits are plump but still green; the bananas will continue to ripen after they’re picked from the tree. [31]
    • Most banana trees have around 30 leaves by the time they flower.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What is the best kind of soil and fertilizer for a banana tree?
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.
    Lauren Kurtz
    Professional Gardener
    Expert Answer
    A banana tree's soil should be rich in organic matter (peat, compost, coco fiber, manure) with plenty of perlite or vermiculite mixed in. Some sites recommend adding 20% more perlite or vermiculite to the soil mixture. A pH of 5.5-6.5 is recommended. Heavily mulch your banana plant. Fertilize with a balanced (10-10-10) diluted liquid fertilizer or granular fertilizer once a month. Add wood ash for an extra boost of potassium.
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  • Question
    How long will I have to wait before the banana tree will start producing fruit?
    Ninox
    Top Answerer
    It depends on the variety of banana tree, but the tree won't produce bananas in many regions.
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  • Question
    Can I plant my small tree in a larger pot to avoid having to transfer later?
    Lillian Kullen
    Community Answer
    You could, but however large your pot is, you will have to transfer it at some time. A potted plant simply doesn't get enough nutrients, not to mention the fact a tree needs unlimited space to grow and expand to bear healthy fruit.
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      Things You'll Need

      Getting the Right Materials

      Planting Your Banana Tree

      • Pot
      • Soil
      • Spade or shovel
      • Watering can or hose

      Growing Banana Trees from Seed

      Caring for Your Banana Tree

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      References

      1. ↑ https://balconygardenweb.com/how-to-grow-banana-trees-growing-banana-trees-in-pots/
      2. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG040
      3. ↑ https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/fact-sheets/banana/
      4. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/adams/news/banana-plant-a-bold-and-beautiful-tropical-addition-to-the-garden
      5. ↑ https://balconygardenweb.com/how-to-grow-banana-trees-growing-banana-trees-in-pots/
      6. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=311
      7. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/adams/news/banana-plant-a-bold-and-beautiful-tropical-addition-to-the-garden
      8. ↑ https://www.backyardboss.net/grow-banana-trees-in-pots/
      9. ↑ https://www.backyardboss.net/grow-banana-trees-in-pots/
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/-z3cQFOoAUg?feature=shared&t=326
      2. ↑ https://www.tropicalpermaculture.com/growing-bananas.html
      3. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/adams/news/banana-plant-a-bold-and-beautiful-tropical-addition-to-the-garden
      4. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG040
      5. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/banana/growing-guide
      6. ↑ https://stories.uq.edu.au/the-world-s-favourite-fruit-needs-a-genetic-boost/index.html
      7. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/banana/growing-guide
      8. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/banana/growing-guide
      9. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/banana/growing-guide
      10. ↑ https://youtu.be/otBieycNat4?feature=shared&t=172
      11. ↑ https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/adams/news/banana-plant-a-bold-and-beautiful-tropical-addition-to-the-garden
      12. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/banana/growing-guide
      13. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG040
      14. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG040
      15. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/banana/growing-guide
      16. ↑ http://extension.msstate.edu/news/southern-gardening/2006/bananas-are-perfect-for-large-containers
      17. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG040
      18. ↑ https://www.promusa.org/Banana+sucker
      19. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/banana/growing-guide
      20. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/banana/growing-guide
      21. ↑ https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/fruit-nut/fact-sheets/banana/
      22. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG040

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To grow a banana tree in a container, you’ll need to use a dwarf variety, since regular banana trees can grow too large for pots. Use a 6- or 8-inch pot with a drainage hole, since banana trees thrive in well-drained soil. Your soil should be mildly acidic soil and have a good mix of peat, perlite, and vermiculite. Once you've planted your banana tree, keep it by a large window or in the shade so it gets bright, indirect sunlight. Make sure its soil is damp ½ inch down every day. You should also fertilize it once a month with a fertilizer high in magnesium, potassium, and nitrogen so your tree gets all the nutrients it needs. For more tips from our Gardening co-author, including how to prune your banana tree, read on!

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